Description
Start your journey from Kota Kinabalu and travel to Kinabatangan by road to view wildlife and birds in its virgin rainforest habitat. You will also visit Labuk Bay for the close encounter with Proboscis Monkeys and thereafter Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre where orphaned and injured Orang-Utan brought to Sepilok to be rehabilitated to return and fend for themselves back to the wild.
Highlights
Visit Labuk Bay
Experience the wilderness of Borneo
Visit Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre
Qualified English or Malay speaking guide
Complimentary drinking water
Location
Sukau
A trip up the river at dawn or dusk is the best opportunity to see the wildlife. You might even sight the Bornean pygmy elephant wandering along the river banks.
Many major local tour companies run lodges in the Sukau, Bilit and Abai area with packages that include accommodation (ranging from backpackers to luxurious river lodges), transportation, meals and guided tours. Optional tours can be arranged for night cruise as well to spot crocodiles, birds and nocturnal animals. A few lodges also offers night walks to spot for nocturnal animals or insects.
Itinerary
Day 1
Meet at your hotel and drive overland approximately 6 to 8 hours to Sukau Kinabatangan passing through rustic countryside studded with villages.
Take a short boat transfer to Borneo Nature Lodge.
Time for orientation, and check-in.
Relax by the river before embarking by boat up-river at 4:30PM along Sabah’s longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view wildlife and birds in its virgin rainforest habitat. Search for some of the primates species including the endemic Proboscis Monkeys as they settle down on treetops. Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary is on the best places in Southeast Asia to observe wildlife.
07:00 Depart from Kota Kinabalu
08:15 Photo stop at Pekan Nabalu
08:45 Depart to Telupid Town
11:00 Lunch by own at Telupid’s local restaurant
12:00 Depart to Sukau Kinabatangan
15:00 Arrive at Borneo Nature Lodge. Check-in
16:30 Afternoon cruise
19:00 Dinner
Day 2
Wake up to the calls of birds, insects and animals.
At 6:00AM, take a morning cruise up to The Kinabatangan River and onto Kelenanap Ox-Bow Lake for bird watching and in search of other wildlife.
Depart early morning and visit Labuk Bay for the close encounter with Proboscis Monkeys and thereafter Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre where orphaned and injured Orang-Utan brought to Sepilok to be rehabilitated to return and fend for themselves back to the wild. Sepilok is a primary lowland forest; a fine showcase of Borneo’s remaining rainforest. Witness the feeding of Orang-Utan from a platform in the forest and later watch the 25 minutes scheduled video documentary show. Transfer to hotel for check-in.
06:00 Morning Cruise
08:00 Breakfast at the lodge
10:00 Depart from Borneo Nature Lodge
11:30 Visit Labuk Bay
12:30 Depart to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
13:00 Lunch by own expenses
14:30 Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
15:00 Feeding
16:00 Depart to hotel
16:30 Arrive at hotel
Day 3
Return overland back to Kota Kinabalu
08:00 Breakfast at hotel
09:00 Depart from Sandakan
10:00 Mile 32
11:30 Arrive at Telupid Town
12:30 Depart from Telupid Town
14:30 Arrive at Kinabalu Park
16:30 Arrive at Kota Kinabalu
Borneo Nature Lodge
Located along the banks of Kinabatangan River, Borneo Nature Lodge is nestled among tropical surroundings and wildlife. All rooms are air-conditioned and come with a mosquito net.
Rooms are spacious and overlook tropical greenery. Ironing facilities and slippers are provided. En suite bathrooms include shower facilities.
The lodge has a common lounge where guests can enjoy programs on its flat-screen satellite TV. Fishing and barbeque facilities are available.
Guests can enjoy a selection of Asian and international cuisine in the restaurant and bar.
Sandakan
Guests will stay one night in Hotel Sandakan or Livingston Hotel (subject to availability).
Day 1: Dinner
Day 2: Breakfast
Day 3: Breakfast
Bird watching
Exploring cave and bats watching at Gomantong cave
Fishing (experience local methods of fishing along the river)
Jungle trekking
Night walk
Photography
River cruise (morning/evening/night cruise in search of wildlife)
Tree planting
Village walk
Complimentary drinking water
Fees for entrance where applicable
Meals as stated in itinerary
Qualified English/Malay Speaking Guide
Tours
Transportation
Twin-sharing accommodation in Borneo Nature Lodge
Twin-sharing accommodation in Sandakan
Any other item not mentioned
Personal expenses
Video/camera fees (chargeable at RM5.00 per camera)
Arrival by flights
You can fly to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) direct from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or Johor Bahru.
In lieu of the Covid-19 pandemic, you can opt to postpone your trip once it is safe to travel again. Kindly contact the property owner for more information.
Borneo Trails is a Sabah based operator managed by a team of seasoned professionals relevant to the industry. Its viable network throughout the region and across boundaries manifest the past and present commitment to all our travel partners, customers and friends alike.
You will be charged RM5.00 per camera for this trip.